Here’s what we were up to in between end-of-the-school-year activities, birthday celebrations, and camping trips. Grammy and Papa came for a visit and brought their brand new kittens, Maui & Whidbey, with them.

Papa was opening a bottle of wine when Avery sprang up and said, “Papa, can I open that? I’ve never used the cork screw on my pocket knife before!” Papa was happy to oblige.

Voila!

Kitten hunting (their heads are to the left of Layla).

“Can I carry that?!”

Our butterflies hatched! Time to release them!

Picnic at the beach

Avery taking Layla for a paddle

That’s Layla throwing a fit on the way back up the hill. In case you’re wondering, I ended up carrying her.

Avery became very interested in ants toward the end of the school year, and decided he wanted to start his own colony. We told him he could, he’d just need to figure out what he needed and purchase supplies. Here is his supply list:

And here he is constructing the habitat with his brothers

It’s ready for The Queen to move in!

One weekend day Jonathan and I divided and conquered, so I took Silas & Kieron to the Sehome Arboretum for a little hike

Then we walked around the Western campus for a while

These two had a great time, and I think they really bonded on this little adventure

We’ve been working on potty training

Playing with Matchbox cars

Mother/daughter selfie

It’s warming up, so we are taking the aluminum boat out more.

On this particular day the boys were excited to find a dead fish.

Some sailing…

Yoga with my girl

Jonathan and Avery, out for a paddle together

Checking out the new Waypoint Park

Look who woke up from her nap while we were working in the yard!

Jonathan and me, out at the Silver Beach Elementary auction

Caroline and the kids came for a visit over Layla’s birthday. Here are the littles at lunch the following day.